FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Education Exchange Promoting Study Abroad | TOKYO PAS FY20 02 11

FAQs - FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Education Exchange Promoting Study Abroad (TOKYO PAS FY20 02 11)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary U.S. Department of State funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Mission to Japan, through the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section. The opportunity is titled "FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Education Exchange Promoting Study Abroad" and has Funding Opportunity Number TOKYO PAS FY20 02 11.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program funds an education exchange initiative designed to help Japanese students with financial need participate in study opportunities in the United States. It is also intended to deepen U.S.-Japan people-to-people ties and support the broader mission goal of increasing the number of students from Japan who study in the U.S.

Who administers this program?

The program is administered by the U.S. Mission to Japan, specifically the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section, under the U.S. Department of State.

When was the opportunity created and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was created on February 1, 2020. The application deadline was March 31, 2020.

What type of activities does this opportunity support?

The activity category is education. The supported concept is an education exchange program that enables Japanese students with financial need to study in the United States, while also building longer-term connections and networks between Japan and the U.S.

Is the funding intended to support individual students or larger programs?

While the program is explicitly aimed at helping Japanese students with financial need access study opportunities in the U.S., it is framed as funding an initiative (an exchange program). That suggests proposals should cover more than direct support to individuals and should also address broader exchange goals like measurable participation increases and sustained U.S.-Japan connections.

What funding instrument types are available?

Funding may be provided through multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other mechanisms. This provides flexibility in how a project is structured and potentially managed in partnership with the Embassy.

How many awards were expected under this opportunity?

The Embassy anticipated making up to three awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling was $20,000 per award.

What does the award ceiling suggest about the scope of projects?

With a ceiling of $20,000 per award and up to three awards expected, this appears to be a small, targeted program intended to fund focused projects that can demonstrably reduce financial barriers and expand access to U.S. study experiences for Japanese students.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 19.040.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other tribal organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category), and individuals.

Are nonprofits allowed to apply even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, with the note that this applies as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that specific nonprofit category.

Can universities and colleges apply?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are both listed as eligible applicants.

Can individuals apply?

Yes. Individuals are listed among the eligible applicants.

What kind of student population is the program intended to benefit?

The program is intended to benefit Japanese students who have financial need and who want to participate in study opportunities in the United States.

What kinds of outcomes would a competitive project be expected to demonstrate (based on the stated objectives)?

Based on the objectives provided, projects would be expected to show measurable outcomes such as increased participation in U.S. study programs among students with limited financial resources, stronger bilateral networks between Japanese and American communities or institutions, and a contribution to the Embassy goal of boosting Japanese student mobility to the United States.

Does the description list specific required project activities?

No specific required activities are listed in the short description provided. However, the purpose and objectives point toward designing and implementing a concrete exchange program with participant selection focused on financial need, support for U.S.-based study experiences, and activities that build longer-term ties beyond the exchange period.

What does "people-to-people connections" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, it refers to building direct relationships and networks between individuals and institutions in Japan and the United States through education exchange experiences, with the intent that these connections continue beyond the immediate study period.

Is this a formula grant or discretionary funding?

This is a discretionary program administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section.

What is the overall strategic goal this opportunity supports?

The opportunity supports the mission goal of increasing the overall number of students from Japan who choose to study in the United States, while also strengthening U.S.-Japan interpersonal and institutional ties.